Verbena is not considered poisonous to humans in the amounts typically used in teas and cooking, but it does carry real risks in certain situations, particularly during pregnancy, for pets, and for people with sensitive skin. The answer also depends on which plant you mean, since “verbena” is a name shared by several different species with very different safety profiles.
Common Verbena Is Low-Risk but Not Harmless
Common vervain (Verbena officinalis), the species most people mean when they say “verbena,” has been used in herbal medicine for centuries. It has no formally identified contraindications for healthy, non-pregnant adults, and small amounts in food or tea are generally safe. The plant contains an iridoid glycoside called verbenalin, which has actually shown protective effects on heart cells in animal studies and some antiviral activity in lab settings.
That said, “not acutely toxic” is not the same as “completely safe.” Vervain infusions have been shown to reduce iron absorption in the gut, particularly at higher pH levels. This is relevant if you drink vervain tea regularly or if you’re already low in iron. One of its chemical constituents, verbenone, is processed by liver enzymes, and researchers have not yet determined whether the resulting metabolite is harmless, active, or toxic. So while a cup of vervain tea is unlikely to cause problems, heavy or prolonged use hasn’t been thoroughly studied for safety in humans.
Pregnancy Is a Clear No
This is the one area where verbena poses a well-documented danger. At least one case report has linked consumption of Verbena officinalis to miscarriage. A study in pregnant rats confirmed the concern: the plant caused toxic effects on reproductive performance and dose-dependent harm to fetuses. The compounds most likely responsible are glycosylated flavonoids, specifically apigenin and luteolin, which are naturally present in the plant. If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, avoid verbena entirely.
Lemon Verbena Is a Separate Plant
Lemon verbena (Aloysia citrodora) is a different species often used for herbal teas, desserts, and aromatherapy. It’s widely sold as a culinary herb and is popular in Latin American and European cooking. Despite its long history of use, lemon verbena has never been fully assessed for safety and efficacy in humans. It’s generally regarded as safe in food-grade amounts, but concentrated supplements or essential oils are a different story, and the research simply hasn’t caught up to the marketing.
Verbena Can Cause Skin Reactions
Handling verbena plants or using verbena-containing skin products can trigger allergic contact dermatitis in some people. This isn’t rare: in one clinical study, 32 out of 100 patients tested showed positive allergic reactions to Verbena officinalis extracts on patch testing. Reported cases of this type of allergy have been rising, with a 15% increase between 2018 and 2022.
Symptoms typically include redness, small blisters, and itching, mostly on exposed skin. About 78% of cases in the study showed symptoms on areas that had direct contact with the plant or herbal preparations. If you’ve developed an unexplained rash and you use herbal skincare products, verbena is worth considering as a possible cause.
Pets Should Not Eat Verbena
The ASPCA lists lemon verbena as toxic to dogs, cats, and horses. The toxic agents are the plant’s essential oils, and the main symptoms are stomach upset and colic. The severity is generally mild, and the ASPCA notes that small amounts used as a cooking flavoring are not a concern. Still, if your dog chews on a verbena plant in the garden, you could see vomiting or digestive discomfort.
Don’t Confuse Verbena With Lantana
This is where things get genuinely dangerous. Lantana (Lantana camara) is a common ornamental shrub that’s frequently sold under the name “verbena” at garden centers, especially in warmer climates. Lantana and true verbena belong to the same plant family (Verbenaceae), but they are completely different genera with very different toxicity levels.
Lantana is seriously toxic. Its foliage contains compounds called lantadenes, which cause liver damage and bile duct obstruction in animals including cattle, horses, guinea pigs, rabbits, and rats. The unripe berries are toxic to humans as well. Children are most at risk because the berries can look appealing. Livestock deaths from lantana ingestion are well documented in tropical regions worldwide.
If you bought a plant labeled “verbena” at a nursery and it’s a woody shrub with clusters of small, brightly colored tubular flowers in orange, red, yellow, or pink, there’s a good chance it’s actually lantana. True verbena tends to have slender spikes of smaller flowers, usually in purple, pink, or white, on a less woody plant. The distinction matters, because lantana is far more dangerous than any true Verbena species.
The Bottom Line on Safety
For a healthy, non-pregnant adult, true verbena in normal culinary or tea amounts is not poisonous. The risks are specific: pregnancy, heavy or prolonged use, skin sensitivity, and pet ingestion. The biggest hidden danger is buying or growing lantana under the assumption that it’s verbena. If you’re unsure which plant you have, identifying the species before using it in food, tea, or anywhere near children and pets is worth the extra minute.